Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
Why in News?
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is recently in news due to the high-stakes Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) Meeting held on July 24, 2026, in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz Republic.
Genesis and Evolution
- Shanghai Five (1996): Began as a minor security group between China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan to resolve border demilitarisation.
- Official Launch (2001): Rechristened as the SCO on June 15, 2001, after Uzbekistan joined as a founding member.
- Geographic Scale: It stands as the world's largest regional organisation, covering 24% of the global land area and representing over 42% of the global population.
Member Structure
- 10 Full Member States: China, India, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus.
- Expansion Milestones: India and Pakistan joined simultaneously in 2017, followed by Iran (2023) and Belarus (2024).
- Partnership Network: Features remaining observer nations like Afghanistan and Mongolia, alongside 15+ Dialogue/SCO Partners (such as Turkey, Sri Lanka, and Egypt).
Mandate and Objectives
- The "Three Evils": Formulated primarily to battle terrorism, separatism, and extremism across Eurasia.
- Multilateral Integration: Drives active coordination in trade, technology, transport infrastructure, energy corridors, and environmental policy.
- Geopolitical Balance: Aims to balance Western geopolitical influence by establishing a multipolar international order.
- SCO Secretariat: Based in Beijing, China, to manage executive administration.
- RATS (Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure): Headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to coordinate joint counter-terrorism intelligence and operations.
